AAK/UN-Habitat Urban Thinkers Campus 7.0

The Urban Thinkers Campus (UTC) is an initiative of the World Urban Campaign driven by UN-Habitat. The UTC is conceived as an open space for critical exchange between urban researchers, professionals, and decision-makers who believe that urbanization is an opportunity and can lead to positive urban transformations. It is also intended as a platform to build consensus between partners engaged in addressing urbanization challenges and proposing solutions to urban futures.

The Architectural Association of Kenya is taking lead in planning the 3-day 2022 AAK UTC. The event is scheduled for October 19 (virtually), 25(virtually & physically) and 27 (virtually) October 2022. This year’s theme Essentials of City Building: Managing Urban Development envisions a more sustainable future through observance of standards and principles of planning to provide an environment where people have rights and access to the benefits and opportunities of inclusive cities.

The objectives of the AAK UTC are:

1. To establish the challenges facing the management of modern urban areas;
2. To examine the mechanisms and innovations that are necessary for sustainable urban management;
3. To establish the role of stakeholders and their contribution to the management of modern urban areas; and
4. To activate relevant partnerships to initiate and sustain necessary actions in urban management for sustainable development.

When we look at the City We Need Now (CWNN), Urban management is captured in various aspects. We already see that our theme is tackled within four key drivers of the City We Need Now! (Governance and Partnerships, Planning and Design, Finance, and Monitoring and Evaluation). All four key drivers are represented within all aspects of Urban Management; however, we find that other drivers mentioned in CWNN also correlate to various tasks/provisions related to Urban Management. Some of these drivers, which will be key areas of focus for our campus include: Governance and partnerships, Planning and design, finance, land, housing and services, health and safety, technology, and monitoring and evaluation.

Our UTC speakers will address the following:

1. Managing Urbanization- Critical Analyses
2. The Silver Bullet in Urban Management
3. Resilient Urban Housing
4. Nexus Between Health and Homes
5. Adaptive Planning in Upgrading Informal Settlements
6. Management of Urban Mobility
7. Adaptation and Resilience in Urban Development

To register for the event click here